Tips for Decorating with Beach Decor

Tip #1 – Decorate With Seashells 

There’s nothing that makes you think of the beach quite like seashells, and they’re perfect for decorating around the home to bring in thoughts of the ocean. Try displaying shells on shelves or in glass vases around your home. It’s especially great for creating contrast if you have a darker décor.

Tip #2 – Add Some Pops of Beachy Color 

Just one or two pops of beachy color in your home can make a huge difference, and it’s totally DIY. Grab some spray paint in a beachy color like seafoam green, turquoise or aqua, and paint a lamp, picture frames or a small coffee table.

Tip #3 – Choose Beachy Fabrics 

Displaying beachy fabrics can also add to the beach vibe without making a lot of changes. Throw pillows with sea turtles, anchors, shells or fish on them are perfect. Window dressings in beach-themed patterns also add to the look.

Tip #4 – Combine Blues and White 

Don’t forget about changing up the colors of your décor. Going with blues and white can give you that breezy, gorgeous look that you often see in beach houses. Add blue lamps and decorative pillows to a room of white furniture for a look that makes you think of the sea when you walk in.

Tip #5 – Hang Beach Wall Art 

One of the simplest ways to get that beach vibe at home is to hang some beach wall art. Find a framed picture of the ocean waves or a stretch of beach. You’ll love sitting down and just looking at it as you dream of the ocean breezes and refreshing waves.

It doesn’t take a big investment in time or money to add some beach vibe into your home. A little creativity can go a long way to creating that seaside atmosphere. Have some family visiting this summer interested in relocating to apartments in Flagstaff, AZ? Have them contact us today to find out what floor plans we still have available. 

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1. Rustic Snowflake String

Cut out 10 paper snowflakes from good quality craft paper. Make the snowflakes all about the same size, but try to vary their shape. When you're done, string a piece of rustic twine between two nails on your wall, and hang up the snowflakes with clothespins. This looks great against a dark background! If your walls are a lighter color, use dark blue paper to make your snowflakes.

2. Wintry Candleholder

For this project, you'll need a thick, sturdy pillar candle and a glass candleholder of the proper size. Fill the bottom of the candleholder with blue, silver and white glass beads; then place the candle on top of the beads. For the finishing touch, wrap twine around the base of the candleholder, and tie a bow with the twine.  

3. Snowy Candy Jar

Paint a jar with the image of a snowman. Use a sponge or a paintbrush to apply acrylic paint to the jar and allow it to dry. Use a paint pen to write a funny phrase ("all my best friends are flakes!") or an inspirational message on the other side of the jar.

Finally, fill the jar with a favorite winter candy. Leave the jar out on a coffee table or on your kitchen counter where friends and family can access it.  

Join Us at University Square

University Square is a vibrant community throughout the year, from beginning to end. Come join us for fun and good times at our apartments in Flagstaff, AZ. Call to view our available units.

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In the year 2017, pink was the most popular color in the home and fashion design. The chances are high that you’re so used to pink and all its rose incarnations and would like try something new. We bring you the two colors we believe will rule the home and fashion design in 2018.

Lavender

It’s becoming a trend to have lavender in its numerous hues take over decor accessories. Maybe you're concerned that lavender will make you look like you're stuck in the ‘90s. That'll not be the case if you learn what to pair the color with.

Pearly whites and silvers do an excellent job of counterbalancing the intensity of the color. While you may not like too much purple, there's proof that lavender will blend perfectly with wood, gray and white.

You can also take a pretty creative approach when it comes to using lavender for home décor. Try pairing it with Kelly green and yellow. You know what? Several of the rental properties with such color combinations look excellent.

Mustard Yellow

There’s yet another contender for the color of the year–mustard yellow. Aside from being earthy, mustard yellow hues are close to being neutrals themselves. The mustard yellow color is highly versatile as it qualifies as a gallery wall backdrop, fits pretty much every furniture and will still look fantastic.

Besides, the kitchen seems to welcome the mustard yellow, too. The bright, earthy hue brings a lightness to this room. Go right ahead and pair your yellow with black for something even more stunning. Also, mustard pairs well with mint and other pastels.

Looking to upgrade your décor in your home? We can tell mustard yellow, or lavender will become the next big thing. Either of the two tones will live your room polished and classy. And if you’re looking for Flagstaff apartments, University Square Apartments located off-campus NAU never disappoint. Call us at (844) 795-6793 to find out about apartment floor plans and the directions.

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With winter settling in and the days short, it is important to find things to do that brighten up your day. Decorating with string lights is perfect for wintertime—you can customize your home and enjoy beautiful illumination in the process. Here are three easy decorating ideas for string lights. 

String Lighting: 3 Decorating Ideas for Your Home

1. Write a message to brighten the room.

One of the coolest ways to use string lighting is to write out text with the strings. Light and flexible, string lighting is great for creating messages. You could write a message to a loved one or to yourself. You could even create a motivational message that makes you happy every time you see it.

2. Make bottle lamps.

String lights are small enough that you can stuff them inside of objects pretty easily. What better place to put them than a pretty bottle? As long as the bottle lets light through, you can turn just about any bottle into a lamp. Experiment with different bottles and different colored lights to achieve a variety of effects.

3. Create a display for your photos.

Another cool thing to do with string lights is to use them for displaying your favorite photos. You can build a framework out of the wires between the lights that you can then hang the pictures from. Everyone will be able to see the pictures clearly because they are perfectly lit by the string lights. Try building a zigzag pattern with the lights in a corner of the room, hanging from each wall. Or you can hang the lights and pictures in a line, either vertical or horizontal.

Getting the Most Out of Your Apartment

At University Square, our team is dedicated to helping you enjoy your apartment to the fullest. Please contact us to find out more about any of our Flagstaff apartments!

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Choose Your Blooms 

Use a variety of stems, and don't overcrowd one type of flower. You can have your favorite bloom stand out in the arrangement by having more of them, but it shouldn't have more than two or three stems more than the rest of your choices. The flowers should be as fresh as possible, and they should be clipped at 45°. Use cool water in a clean vase for best results. Remove any leaves that may be submerged in the water (or risk bacteria growth), and let the flowers sit for an hour or so after you cut them. 

Use the Greenery First 

The greenery you're using should make the shape of your flower arrangement. When it comes to the exact shape of your arrangement, you'll need to follow their twists and turns for inspiration. You can't fight their natural patterns, but you can arrange and rearrange to find something that works for you and still fits for the stems too. Once you do that, you can then add the main flower into your greens. Set one low, and one high to create some depth and dimension. You can then add your secondary flowers to fill any gaps. Any fillers (baby's breath, hyacinth, etc.) should be last so they're less likely to be trampled by the more substantial flowers. 

Spring flowers are what you make of them, and so are Flagstaff apartments. Your home is a place to let your personal tastes shine, and nowhere understands that more than University Square. Let us show you around our community when you call us today. 

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DIY Decor Hacks 

• Fabric Headboard– headboards are usually pretty boring and can be downright ugly. If you have a headboard that has seen better days, consider wrapping it in your favorite fabric. All you need is fabric and a staple gun, super easy. For exact instructions, check this out. 
• Papier Mache Side Table– How about a side table made of recycled material? It's a great way to reuse cardboard and scrap paper. This table is light but study and easy to make. The instructions can be found here. 
• Saw Horse Coffee Table– What's better than a coffee table that you can easily take apart and move around your apartment? This coffee table allows you to use a variety of inexpensive wood; depending on your specific taste. It doesn't require many tools and you can do it in an afternoon. Here is a PDF file on how to build this rustic yet stylish piece of furniture. 

There You Have It

Three simple furniture pieces you can decorate your apartment with here at University Square. These three creative ideas cost very little money and only require a little time and imagination to complete. Try one of three DIY decorating hacks this weekend. Let us know how it went!

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Here are five trending shades that are quite popular these days to theme your interior decor around:

• Blue and white: White and different shades of blue have always been a popular combination. The blue could be royal blue, light blue, sea blue or darker shades of navy. It gives a soothing effect and can be matched up with coastal decoration and sea-inspired ideas.
• Coffee and cream: This is one of the trendiest combinations. The mix of brown and beige gives a warm and comfortable feeling to the ambience. Based on the color used, the furnishing and accents can vary depending on your personal style and preference.
• Jazz it up with black and white: This combination is powerful and classic. It gives a feeling of cheerfulness and optimism. It also leaves plenty of room to add colorful accents in the form of vases, flowers, pillows, etc.
• Powerful gray and white with metallic accents: The timeless beauty of gray shades, when combined with metallic accents, can give a lovely look to your rooms. The rooms will look more futuristic and modern.
• Go green: Green is always associated with eco-friendliness, and it gives a nice natural look to the rooms. It can be combined with other neutral shades to give a lovely, picturesque effect.

These were 5 of the trendiest colors and color combos that are ruling interior design right now. Experiment with all kinds of shades in the rooms of your apartment, and incorporate them through rugs, linens, wall decor, and table toppers. The color that you use will reflect your personality, so use the color that defines you. And, give different designs to it to make them look unique. You will feel your mood change while you move through your rooms.

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Trending Colors for Your Flagstaff Apartment

1. Warm Browns. Chocolate brown was the go-to choice in previous years, but spicy colors like cinnamon and coffee are pulling ahead this year. Brown tones make an excellent choice for large furniture or accent walls that need to lean neutral without looking too plain. 
2. Gray. From a light heather gray to deep slate, gray is the neutral of choice in modern homes because of its clean appearance and ability to blend with almost any accent color.
3. Green. If you're searching for just the right accent color, green is the right choice for making a relaxed, calm statement. Choose deep greens to anchor large furniture, or bright greens to lighten up with accent pillows and artwork.
4. Red. Make a bold, lively statement by selecting red for your accent pieces. Choose a washed-out pink tone for a more subtle effect, or heighten the drama with deep crimson or robust rust colors.
5. Violet. From a true purple to something closer to red wine, violet is slowly starting to make its way indoors and onto your throw pillows and accent rugs. Stay away from softer lavenders that may appear dated; instead, go bold with plum or lean more masculine with eggplant or indigo.

Start Sprucing

Now that you know which colors to choose, you're ready to start decorating. Learn about the spacious layouts and stylish amenities in our Flagstaff Apartments that are just waiting for your creative touch. Call or stop by today!

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Christmas Tree Wire Ornament Holder

For this project, you’ll need crafts wire, an old frame, plenty of ornaments, and a handful of other accessories and craft tools. We love that this untraditional “tree” gives you the chance to take something old and make it new! It also makes a wonderful tree alternative if you don’t have a lot of space in your apartment for a full-sized tree. Hang your tree in a central spot in your home, or lay it wherever you’ll be doing your holiday gift exchange! For a full tutorial, pack up your crafty sleigh and head on over to Better Homes and Gardens!

DIY Pallet Christmas Tree

Looking for an easy decorative piece for your patio or balcony? Check out this easy guide to making a Christmas pallet tree. This is a project that you can size to meet your needs; if you want a bigger tree, just get bigger pallets, or go small for a corner tree for your living room. You’ll need several pallet slats, paint, tools, and maybe some holiday lights and ornaments to make your tree extra festive! Get all the supplies and instructions you’ll need to bring this project to life at Hometalk.

Paper Christmas Tree

We’ve seen this project done a few different ways, but one thing they all have in common is that they are super easy! For a homemade paper tree, all you’ll need is tape, several pages from old books or sheet music, twine, and something decorative to serve as your tree’s star. We’ve seen folks use empty frames, wooden cutout stars, favorite family photos, and more. Simply hang your pages in the general shape of a tree, securing them with tape (or adhesive putty) to the wall and each other. Decorate your “tree” with twine, lights, or any other décor you’d like (just keep in mind … your tree is made of paper, so avoid fire hazards). Hang your “star” at the top, and lay your gifts at the base. You can find a ton of tutorials for making a paper Christmas tree, but we used this one from My Sweet Savannah!

Upcycled Sparkly Christmas Tree

This tree DIY calls for the use of cemetery vases, but you can easily replace them with paper mache cones or doll cones, which can be picked up at almost any craft store. The project has you wrap the cemetery vase in craft paper, but with our craft cone alternative, you can easily skip this step! The main craft supplies you’ll need are hot glue and strands of gold beads! You can find the beads you’ll need at a craft store or a Dollar Store (just head to the party section). This is an easy tree to place on your table or bookshelf. Just set it down as it is, or place it on top of a pretty matching candlestick! For easy to follow instructions, visit Vintage News Junkie … and scroll all the way down for a ton of other fun DIY tree ideas!

“From Trash to Trees” Book Spine Tree

Unless you’re a diehard book junky who thinks dismantling a book is sacrilege, we think you’ll love this project as much as we do! All you’ll need is a pallet wood or other sturdy craft background and pretty spines from some vintage books (head to a second hand or consignment shop to find some if you don’t have any of your own), plus some craft glue. (If the idea of taking an old book apart is giving you heat palpitations just scroll down on the tutorial page for a tutorial for another tree project; it calls for vintage book pages, but you can easily replace them with craft paper or old newspaper!) Check out the full tutorial from Vintage with Laces.

In these final days until Christmas, we wish you happy crafting, and much joy!

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Our theme for October is Fall Into Autumn! We’ll be bringing you everything from tasty treats for the season to décor ideas that will “leaf” you inspired to deck out your home in the colors of the season! We’re lucky to be in a four-season town, so we’re excited to “fall” in love with Autumn with you!

Harvest Vases

All you need for this beautiful table topper are a few cylinder vases (we like these from Michael’s), a few handfuls of shelled nuts (think pecans), wheat bunches, and a sheet of autumn-colored scrapbook paper (brown, deep red, rust, gold, etc.). First, roll a strip of scrapbook paper and tuck it into the top of your vase as a decorative cuff. Stick a wheat bunch or two (you can also pick this up from Michael’s!) into the vase, and surround it with a big scoop of nuts! These make beautiful coffee table centerpieces, or you could hang them in wall sconces!

Twine Pumpkins

Have any extra toilet paper lying around? Turn it into a beautiful DIY pumpkin! You’ll need a roll of toilet paper, a skein of twine, scissors, a hot glue gun, and a stick. Secure one end of your twine to the inside of the toilet paper tube with a dab of hot glue. Wrap the twine around the toilet paper until the full roll is covered. Once the full roll is covered, glue the other end of your twine into the center of the roll to secure it, and stick your stick through the center to make the stem! Voila … an easy, beautiful autumn decorative piece!

Burlap Leaf Wreath

A wreath is a beautiful and simple statement piece to make your home’s exterior a little more welcoming. For this project, grab a straw plain wreath (you can snag one for under three bucks at Jo-Ann’s), a half- to full-yard of burlap, and either various colors of crafting felt, craft leaves, or head out to the Flagstaff forests to pick up some real fall foliage. If you go with craft felt (think greens, reds, yellows, and oranges), cut out some leaf templates on the felt—you’ll want at least twenty! You’ll also need some scissors and a glue gun. Cut strips of burlap; use hot glue to secure one end to the wreath frame, then wrap the full wreath with your burlap, gluing down the other end when needed. Once the full wreath is covered, begin placing your leaves on the wreath, securing them with hot glue. Make sure you leave some of the burlap exposed; it’s a beautiful fall textile, so let people see it! Once you’re happy with the look, hang your wreath on the door to welcome friends and fall to your home!

Mason Pumpkin Jars

For this craft, raid your cabinets for mason jars; you’ll also need brown and orange acrylic paint, wood pegs, scissors, glue, and fall-colors card stock. First, paint your mason jars orange (you can get a variety of shades for not a lot of cash at any craft store). Paint the lids brown. You can also paint the wood pegs, or leave them their natural shade of brown. While the jars and lids dry, cut leaf shapes from the card stock. Cut thinner strips of your card stock to curl as vines. (All you need to curl your strips is either the edge of a scissor blade—to curl like curling ribbon—or a pencil to wrap the strip around.) Secure a leaf and a few paper “vines” to each wood peg with glue, and then secure the peg “stem” to the jar lid with more glue. Simply screw the lids on to finish your project. These are great as centerpieces, or as candy jars! You can also use them as beautiful fall gift containers if you don’t mind giving up your beautiful craft!

Pine Cone Place Cards

Make beautiful pine cone place cards or card holders with pine cones you can find right here in Flagstaff! First, hunt for some pine cones with relatively flat bases. Secure them to a drink coaster with hot glue. To create a holder for your place card or stand for your greeting card, use sturdy craft leaves or dried real leaves; secure the leaf to the pine cone by tucking the stem into the pine cone and securing with hot glue. Secure the place card or greeting card to the leaf with either hot glue, foam tape, or double sided tape. Place these beautiful pine cone card holders on your table, bookshelf, or window sill!

Happy Crafting!
 

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